Wine region: Argentina

Covering a territory of over 3.5 million square kilometres Argentina holds an outstanding natural richness, where peaks and prairies, woods and deserts, forests and steppes, glaciers and waterfalls coexist. There is no imaginable landscape that can’t be found in this country.  Among that wide range of diverse ecosystems, highly suitable regions for wine growing are also found. With a few exceptions, the Argentina wine map covers a vast area to the west of the country, from north to south between 22 and 42 degrees southern latitude, all along the Andes. In this region, more than 221,700 hectares are planted with vines.

Situated on wide valleys or sloping prairies, Argentinean wine regions have well-defined characteristics, altitude being the most important one. The proximity to the Andes is the reason why wine cultivation takes place on sloping plains, from 300 metres to 2,400 above sea level. This peculiarity is unique in the world, since not only are the vineyards located at the highest altitudes known for wine cultivation, but also the general average is over 900 metres above sea level.

Another distinctive aspect of the Argentinean vineyards is their natural healthy condition, based on the mildness of a dry weather, which causes vineyard illnesses to be infrequent. Therefore, very few treatment procedures are needed to beat illnesses. The irrigation system allows soil fertility regulation by making use of the purest melt water from the Andes.

The sky, crystal clear almost every day, provides abundant sun rays which allow high levels of maturity, but always conveniently balanced with a considerable temperature range.

As an additional piece of information, but not less important, all the vineyards are located far away from urban regions, thereby avoiding the contact with pollution. The soil which supports these vineyards is young, fertile and barely farmed. This fact grants a unique feature to the wines, reflected in intense colours, deep aromas and meaty but fruity flavours.

Due to this dry and arid geography, it is common to hear people talking about Argentina wine regions as “oasis”. Such oases are divided in different regions and sub-regions, according to a well-defined structure.

Saying that Mendoza is the most important among the wine producing provinces is quite comprehensible, bearing in mind that it represents more than the 80% of all the wine production in the country, from its 146,000 hectares of vineyards. There, a quality-oriented industry is developing towards the constant search of vineyard and terroir improvements. Certainly, Mendoza holds an enviable diversity in this respect.

Basic wine geography in Mendoza can be divided in 5 great oases each of them presenting specific characteristics and differentiating from one another quite notably according to location, height and soil composition.

Northern Mendoza
It covers the lowest area of the region, watered by the Mendoza River.
Lavalle and part of Maipú, Guaymallén, Las Heras and San Martin departments are included within this area.

Altitude ranges from 600 to 700 metres above sea level. Lands are not very sloped, but yet deep.

This region is suitable for white wine growing, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Chenin, Ugni Blanc and Torrontés. Among red varieties, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, and Malbec find a good place to grow here.

Eastern Mendoza
This region is a real wine power, considering the vineyard planted surface and the wineries located there. Height ranges between 600 and 750 metres above sea level, and relief presents significant differences in terms of weather, soil and temperature range.

Junin, Rivadavia, San Martín, La Paz y Santa Rosa are part of this region. In the areas nearby the city, soils are unable to drain water; while on the most eastern parts of the region (Santa Rosa and Rivadavia) the soil is typically desert, with sandy soils which do not retain water. Furthermore, temperature range is quite wide, due to desert weather. All the wine varieties are cultivated in this region, but Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin, Torrontés, Viognier, Sangiovese, Syarh, Bonarda and Tempranillo excel.

Mendoza River Area
An ancient and traditional wine region is located at Luján de Cuyo and Maipú departments. They are known as “the first wine area” of the Argentine wines. Such appellation arises from the international prestige that wine labels of this area have gained, considered the top quality wines of the country.

The privileged location, to the south of the City of Mendoza, the ideal height above sea level (650 to 1060 metres) and a perfect soil composition help to maintain this reputation.

Malbec is the emblematic wine variety of this area, and even the province and the country, though Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc stand out too.

The “first wine area”, together with Uco Valley, has become on of the most attractive wine regions for foreign investments, which have continuously been settling in the country since 1990. The prolonged age and reduced size of the vineyards of this area let to the development of boutique wineries possible.

Uco Valley
This area covers the highest vineyards of the province: up to 1,400 metres above sea level. Tupungato, Tunuyán and San Carlos are located in this area. Characterized by a top quality red and white wine production, wines grown in this region are suitable for prolonged ageing. The typical wine varieties of this area are Semillon and Malbec, but Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, and Syrah have been recently implanted, with excellent results.

Southern Mendoza
Located between latitude 34.5º and 35º south, this region covers San Rafael and General Alvear departments. Height goes from 450 to 800 meters above seal level, with 1% slopes.
This area is the main producer of Chenin, but other varieties like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are also cultivated.

There are many different varieties of grapes cultivated in Argentina, reflecting her many immigrant groups. The French brought Auxerrois, which became known as Malbec, which makes most of Argentina’s best known wines. The Italians brought vines that they called Bonarda, although Argentine Bonarda appears to be the Corbeau of Savoie, also known as Charbono in California, which may be related to Dolcetto. It has nothing in common with the light fruity wines made from Bonarda Piemontese in Piedmont.

Torrontés is another typically Argentine grape and is mostly found in the provinces of La Rioja, San Juan, and Salta. It is a member of the Malvasia group that makes aromatic white wines. It has recently been grown in Spain. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and other international favourites are becoming more widely planted, but some varieties are cultivated characteristically in certain areas.
The most emblematic Argentinean wine is made of this variety. Born in Cahors, in the south of France, it was brought to Argentina in the mid XIX century and it adapted well to every wine region in the country. It began to be massively cultivated, due to its sanity, vigour and its potential for top quality wines.

Up to these days, Malbec has been subject of many elaboration methods, which led to the most varied styles of wine, from young and simple wines to the most complex and aged ones, including rosés, sparkling and fortified wines. In every case, its primary aromas resemble ripe prunes and sometimes mint, while in the mouth it is softly meaty and rounded. Malbec is “the red wine” to pair with roasted beef, stews, pasta with tomato sauce and cheese, game meats and hard cheeses.

Being the only wine variety considered 100% Argentine, Torrontés is cultivated in all the wine regions of the country, from Salta to Rio Negro. Its origin has been an issue of broad-ranging discussion amongst many wine experts, but its relationship to the Europe Mediterranean Muscat is undeniable. A proof of this bond is its fragrant and unmistakable aroma, resembling roses, jasmine and geranium, with occasional spicy essences.

The first cultivation of Torrontes dates back from the times of the Spanish conquerors, and ever since it became one of the most cultivated grape variety in the country. Recently, it has been elaborated as sparkling and fortified wine, with excellent results in both cases.

Torrontes produces a unique symbiosis with spicy food and Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai dishes. It pairs marvellously with Northern Argentinean food, such as the typical empanadas and corn stew.